§ Mr. Lambornasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he has now reached a decision on the London rate equalisation scheme for 1976–77.
§ Mr. John SilkinFollowing consultations with the interested parties, a scheme for 1976–77 on lines proposed by the London Boroughs Association will be made. Under the scheme, each inner London borough and the City of London will pay the product of a 5p rate into an equalisation pool, which will then be distributed amongst the outer boroughs in proportion to each borough's deficiency in rateable value, measured by reference to the average rateable value per head for Greater London as a whole. However, in this calculation the deficiency of four boroughs—Barking, Brent, Haringey and Newham—will be multiplied by 1.66. I am arranging for the Scheme to be printed and copies will be placed in the Vote Office.